Best comedian you’ve seen live

[PaneerOfEvil]

Haven’t seen comedy in ages. Who do you recommend?

Kevin bridges. Thought I was gonna die as I was laughing that hard I couldn't breath and thought I was gonna have a cardiac arrest 😂😂

Another vote for Bill Bailey. Was very ambivalent about goi g to see him, but I laughed for the entire two hours.

This is what I was like first time o went to see him too - DH got tickets and I was a bit 'yeah ok he's right I suppose'. I'm so glad we went we were both totally helpless throughout the show. The man's a genius. He's so quick witted and clever and incredibly warm. And I love that he's a birdwatcher.

Another one I wasn't bothered about but loved is Jenny Eclair. I thought she'd be all periods and cakes but she was really funny and, again, really warm which totally draws you to her. I became a big fan and want to be her friend now!

Jason Manford - v funny
Kevin Bridges - hilarious but a bit grumpy when we saw him.
Micky Flanagan - hilarious
John Bishop - funny but venue too big.
Jack Whitehall - hilarious.
Jimmy Carr - not for me at all
Sean Locke - bloody brilliant

I recommend Ross Noble and Sarah Millican. The best comedians I've seen live.
Jo Brand was also prerty good. Jimmy Carr was average, Eddie Izzard must have been having a bad night, Simon Amstell was amusing.
Dave Gorman is one my favourites if you like slightly geeky humour.

BC (before children) DH and I used to go to a lot of comedy gigs. Now we have to be selective and our favourites are:

Dara O'Briain
Russell Kane
Rob Beckett
Henning Wehn
Rhod Gilbert

Rich Hall and Stewart Lee.

I need to see Mark Steel.

Betrand yes, I mentioned John Robins!

I've had one hit and two big misses with Ross Noble. First time was funny enough, the audience got carried along with the whimsy etc, but the 2nd time I saw him he lost his thread or something and couldn't quite catch anyone, and then got a bit cross that the audience weren't keen on his act. The third time (I hadn't intended to see him again, it was almost accidental that I ended up there) was a repeat of the second.

I thought I'd hate Jason mangled put saw him at lee hurst comedy club and I was in tears. So saw him again at a big venue and was worried he would dull it down....he didn't absolutely no censor

Wow, given that most Mumsnetters are female so most of you are female, I'm disappointed that so many more male than female comedians have been named so far on this threads. Some PPs have listed lots of comedians and not mentioned a single woman. I suppose it just goes to show that comedy is still incredibly male dominated

Lots of love for Sarah Millican though - I haven't seen her but will add her to my wish list!

Comedians I have seen and loved:
Katherine Ryan
Josie Long
Sara Pascoe
Russell Howard
Ali Wong (not seen live but laughed a LOT at her Netflix show)

Jeremy Hardy. Saw him twenty years apart, at the same venue. Hilarious both times. So sadly missed.

Darn I meant Russell Kane, not Russell Howard

Just to add to the list of females, I saw Ruby Wax do a fantastic show in a tiny little venue. She was able to make us all cry with laughter but could then switch to talking about some really difficult times with her mental health. She was very impressive.

Billy connelly is the king, also loved tommy tiernan.

Micky Flanagan
Kevin bridges
Romesh ranganathan
Darius obrian

Stewart Lee
Greg Davis
Tim Vine (thought I'd hate it but loved it)

The one I cried laughing at and was in pain was Jon Richardson.

I've enjoyed some female comedians when I've seen them on tv/panel shows. I've enjoyed some local female compares of comedy nights etc however I've just seen any big comedy gigs from female comedians near me. Unfortunately I'm not too keen on Sarah Milligan's humour 🤷🏻‍♀️

*not seen

@AnotherEmma it may just mean that their favourite comedians are men. I've seen two of the female comedians on your list and another one which isn't, one of whom was just ok and two were dire but I'd rather say the ones that I did like as it's a nice positive thread. I mentioned Jenny Eclair upthread as she was fabulous!

I think there are many, many more male comedians to choose from unfortunately. If I think back to when I was a kid I can't think of any female 'stand ups' at all really. I'm sure there would have been a few on the comedy circuit but as a kid you didn't know about them. The only women who were thought to be vaguely funny then (that I can remember) were Janet Brown and Faith Brown and Marti Caine. Until of course the wonderful Victoria Wood arrived.

Ross Noble
Linda Smith

Ah Linda Smith. Never saw her live but she was fab on the radio.

Female comedians may be under 50% of this thread but the vast majority are still male. I think this thread shows the women are outperforming the men, frankly. But then they have Sara Pascoe, Sarah Millican and Jo Brand so it's not really a fair fight.

James Birmingham . Most I have laughed in a long time 😂

“I thought she'd be all periods and cakes”

Yep. Just like men being all wanking and football.

Shazia Mirza
Kerry Godliman
Ellie Taylor
Amy Schumer (hate her sketch show but love her stand up)
Steve Hughes (aussie fella who looks like a rocker. His best gag involved him doing a gig at Bloodstock and how you haven't lived until you've seen a goth on the dodgems) .

I really want to see Sindhu Vee.

Have seen the US Impractical Jokers 4 times, they are good but I have seen better

Billy Connolly. In Glasgow. Special guest Ralph McTell.